Abstract

Background

Thigh muscle injuries commonly occur during single leg loading tasks and patterns
of muscle activation are thought to contribute to these injuries. The influence trunk
and pelvis posture has on hip and thigh muscle activation during single leg stance
is unknown and was investigated in a pain free population to determine if changes
in body posture result in consistent patterns of changes in muscle activation.

Conclusion

Changes in both trunk and pelvic posture during single leg stance generally resulted
in large, predictable changes in hip and thigh muscle activation in asymptomatic young
males. Changes in trunk position in the sagittal plane and pelvis position in the
frontal plane had the greatest effect on muscle activation. Investigation of these
activation patterns in clinical populations such as hip and thigh muscle injuries
may provide important insights into injury mechanisms and inform rehabilitation strategies.